Rugby Roles – Who Does What on the Field?

If you’ve ever watched a match and wondered who’s supposed to do what, you’re not alone. Rugby has a lot of names – prop, fly‑half, fullback – but each one has a clear job. Knowing the roles helps you enjoy the game more and makes it easier to pick a spot if you ever want to play.

Forwards: Power and Set‑Piece Work

The forwards are the team’s engine room. They do the heavy lifting in scrums, line‑outs, and rucks. Here’s a quick rundown:

Props (1 & 3): They line up in the front row of the scrum. Their job is to hold the scrum together and give the hooker space to strike for the ball. Strength and good technique are a must.

Hooker (2): Stands between the props in the scrum and uses a quick foot motion to hook the ball back. In line‑outs, the hooker usually throws the ball in. Accuracy and timing are key.

Locks (4 & 5): Tall players who jump in line‑outs and push hard in scrums. They provide the main power behind the front row and help win aerial battles.

Flankers (6 & 7): These are the mobile forwards. One usually focuses on winning turnovers (openside), the other on defending and tackling (blind‑side). Speed and a high work rate are essential.

Number 8 (8): Sits at the back of the scrum, controls the ball, and links the forwards with the backs. A good Number 8 can break tackles and start attacking moves.

Backs: Speed and Play‑Making

The backs are the finishers and creators. They rely on space, quick passes, and strategic kicking.

Scrum‑half (9): The link between forwards and backs. He feeds the ball from scrums, rucks, and mauls, and decides whether to pass, kick, or run. Good vision and fast hands are a must.

Fly‑half (10): The chief play‑maker. He directs the attack, chooses the kicking game, and often decides whether the team runs wide or attacks the middle. Strong decision‑making and a good kicking game are vital.

Centres (12 & 13): Inside and outside centres break the defensive line and create space for the wings. They need a mix of size, speed, and solid defense.

Wings (11 & 14): The fastest players on the team. They finish moves, chase kicks, and sometimes drop back to help in defense. Straight‑line speed and good positioning are key.

Fullback (15): The last line of defense. He fields high kicks, launches counter‑attacks, and often joins the back line as an extra attacker. Strong catching skills and a good boot are essential.

Knowing these roles makes watching a game feel like reading a story – you can spot when a prop is doing his job, or when the fly‑half is setting up a try. If you’re thinking about trying rugby, pick a role that matches your strengths: love the physical grind? Try forward. Prefer speed and quick decisions? Go back.

Now you’ve got the basics, you can watch a match and actually see who’s doing what on the pitch. That’s half the fun of rugby – understanding the craft behind every tackle and every try.